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((John Sousa)) Don't make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa..


John Sousa, who works at Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County near Tampa, Florida, was suspended after telling a group of black students: 'Don't make me call Donald Trump and get you sent back to Africa'

  • John Sousa, a teacher and coach of the boys golf team came up to a group of students in the corridor to ask what they were doing

  • He is alleged to have said, 'Don't make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa'

  • Sousa has been placed on administrative leave while the claim is investigated by school officials

A white high school teacher has been suspended for telling his black students: 'Don't make me call Donald Trump and get you sent back to Africa.'

John Sousa, who works at Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County near Tampa, Florida, was disciplined following the racist remarks he made to a group of teenagers.

The Tampa Bay Times say school district leaders met with Sousa, who is also coach of the boys golf team, on Friday and placed him on administrative leave while they investigate.

The comments only emerged after a student's father posted about it on Facebook.

Photographer Donnie Jones Jr. claimed the teacher made the offensive comments to a group of African-American girls.

The comment was allegedly made during a break between classes at the school.

Jones wrote that he actually called Sousa to find out what happened.

'He actually admitted saying it,' Jones wrote. 'He said it was just an off the wall comment and wasn't meant to be racist.

'He said it was a bunch of male and female students in the hallway and he was talking to everyone. I believe he's sorry but he's only sorry because he's in trouble.

'I'm going to see what the school does. They can play around here if they want to.'

Video courtesy of WFLA

School district leaders met with Sousa, who is also coach of the boys golf team, on Friday and placed him on administrative leave while they investigate

The incident came to light when a parent, Donnie Jones Jr., wrote about it on Facebook

Jones said he appreciates the school’s principal acting quickly on the issue

'If he in fact said that, it's absolutely unacceptable,' said District spokesperson Linda Cobbe to ABC Action News. 'It exhibits very poor judgment and we will take appropriate action.'

'We take this type of alleged behavior very seriously and we will not tolerate it. We are following our investigative procedures and will take appropriate action.'

The news outlet also revealed that Sousa was reprimanded once before, in August 2015 after he made inappropriate comments when a student failed to graduate on time.

On that occasion, the Sousa was given a written warning and told specifically not to make disparaging comments about pupils in the future.

Depending on the results of this investigation Sousa could be suspended without pay.

A decision could come as soon as Tuesday.

The comment is one of a growing number of incidents reported around the country the aftermath of a bitter, heated and vitriolic presidential campaign, which often pitted whites against minorities.

Donnie Jones Jr. said his daughter was in the hallway with several other students when teacher and coach John Sousa asked what they were up to. Jones Jr. said Sousa then made the comment, 'Don't make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa.'

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